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Path To The Draft

Mock Draft Tracker: Pre-Combine Edition

Dan Salomone

Staff Writer

General managers, coaches, scouts, team doctors and, of course, the prospects, are making their way to Indianapolis right now for the 2019 NFL Combine.

The event takes place from Feb. 26 to March 4 at Lucas Oil Stadium, where each year all 32 NFL teams conduct what are essentially job interviews, complete with on-field workouts and medical examinations, in advance of the NFL Draft. To get you ready for the week, Giants.com rounded up the latest mock drafts for the Giants, who hold the No. 6 overall pick.

Analysis: “With no trades in my mock drafts, this is the first logical spot for a quarterback. And Haskins (6-3, 220) is the best quarterback on my board. Easy choice. Yes, he started only 14 games at Ohio State, but he's a smooth thrower with an extremely high ceiling. Something to note if the Giants trade up to make sure they get their guy: They don't have a third-round pick after using it on cornerback Sam Beal in last year's supplemental draft. That means if they give up their second-rounder and future choices to jump a few spots, they won't be on the clock again until Day 3. This is a huge pick for GM Dave Gettleman.”

Analysis: “Imagine this big-armed signal-caller uncorking shots to Odell Beckham Jr. or finding Saquon Barkley in the flat. Sound fun? The one-year Buckeyes starter shows good touch and anticipation, and could be Big Blue's quarterback of the future. It makes perfect sense here, as long as another quarterback-hungry team doesn't hop the Giants via a trade.”

Analysis: “This wouldn't be my selection if I were making the pick, but the Giants need a young QB to develop behind Eli Manning and Jones' ties to Duke head coach David Cutcliffe -- Eli's college coach and mentor -- might be all the Giants need to push Jones over the top on their board as they try to make a smooth transition under center.”

Analysis: “The New York Giants have to eventually move on from Eli Manning—or at least draft a viable young quarterback to take over in the near future. The NFL is buzzing right now about the result of the Kansas City Chiefs' plan to draft Patrick Mahomes and let him sit behind Alex Smith for a season. The Giants should follow that blueprint and strike now to get a quarterback of the future. Dwayne Haskins might not be a trendy fit for the Giants because of his status as a one-year starter at Ohio State, but his talent speaks for itself. He has poise in the pocket that most new starters do not and has shown excellent arm talent and ball placement. Perhaps most encouraging was his development throughout the season, as he played his best football late in the year.”

Analysis: “Everything coming out of the Giants front office over the past few months has centered around Eli Manning as the team's starter in 2019. That doesn't preclude them from taking Haskins, a talented pocket passer with one year of collegiate starting experience."

Analysis: “With two quarterbacks already off the board, the Giants focus on protecting 38-year-old Eli Manning. Are Williams' arms long enough to play tackle in the NFL? Yes. It's hard to believe this has become a talking point after Williams dominated the 2018 season. He'll be a starter for the next decade, the only question is whether he'll play on the left or right side.”

Analysis: “Haskins is the No. 1 quarterback in this draft. There is real concern over his limited experience—one season—as a starter (play the TCU, Penn State or Purdue tape), but he bounced back from midseason struggles and finished the year strong.”

Analysis: “The Giants have needs up and down the roster, including at quarterback. But it wouldn’t be a surprise if general manager Dave Gettleman opts to upgrade the trenches first and foremost. Ford is a wide-bodied bully who moves well, providing tackle-guard flexibility.”

Analysis: “I think Dave Gettleman is going to love Cody Ford. He’s big, mean and moves really well despite being a massive offensive tackle prospect. Ford’s technique is still developing, but it is hard to see him not being a difference-making starter at tackle or guard in the NFL. He and Will Hernandez on the same line? Whew.”

Analysis: “In a real scenario, it’s highly unlikely the Giants will be able to stay at this pick and still land Haskins, who is widely regarded as the top passer in this class. If they do, it would be the perfect match of need and value for a team that needs a successor for Eli Manning.”

Analysis: “Haskins made a great decision to come out early, because he should be the first QB off the board to succeed Eli Manning. Haskins cemented his stock late in the Buckeyes' season, when he had some jaw-dropping games with his big arm and downfield accuracy. He has ideal size as a strong pocket passer (6-3, 220 pounds) with the right dose of athleticism. That checks the right boxes for Dave Gettleman.”

Analysis: “I bet the Giants would be happy selecting Cody Ford at No. 6 overall, so if they can trade back, get an extra third and fourth round pick out of it (perhaps even more) and get Ford, they should certainly be pleased. Ford can play both right tackle or inside at guard in the NFL. I like his tape at tackle, so I think that’s where you give him a shot first opposite Nate Solder. P.S. I know some people will be yelling that I don’t even mention them targeting a quarterback. I think quarterback is their number one need, but until I hear they are interested in pulling the trigger in the first round, mocking them Murray or Haskins like they should seems pointless.”

Analysis: “Haskins is very much in the conversation as the top quarterback prospect alongside Oklahoma's Kyler Murray. A number of teams will prefer the 6'3", 218-pound signal-caller after he set Big Ten records with 4,831 passing yards and 50 passing touchdowns. A backfield with Haskins and running back Saquon Barkley would have a chance to develop into the league's best.”

Analysis: "I’ve spent a fair number of blurbs here ripping on Allen, which feels unnecessary — I just don’t think he’s as high-level a player as some of other draft analysts do. That said, he has everything you can’t teach: size, length, explosiveness, and bend. And his development from 2017 to 2018 spells a nice outlook for his rookie season and beyond: dude has really learned how to attack set points, run a tighter arc, and finish his reps."

Analysis: “I know that Giants fans are clamoring for a young quarterback but I'm not sure that is in GM Dave Gettleman's DNA to invest in the future with gifted 'hog mollies' on the board. Some scouts believe the 6-5, 280 pound Gary might just be the most gifted player in the entire draft.”

Analysis: “If you need a huge, toolsy, aggressive defensive or offensive lineman, the 2019 NFL draft is the draft for you. But if you love "can't-miss" quarterback prospects who have earned the right to be handed the keys to NFL franchises, this is not your kind of draft at all.”